Rolls-Royce stolen from Fort Lauderdale hotel crashes into Checkers drive-thru, cops say

A joy ride in a stolen Rolls-Royce from the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort ended in a crash at a fast-food restaurant on Wednesday, police say.

At about 2:15 a.m., Fort Lauderdale officers arrived at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, 505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., after reports of a stolen white Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

Later, officers saw the stolen car driving west on West Broward Boulevard.

Police say 21-year-old Malik Patterson saw the officers and sped off, but then crashed into a Checkers restaurant at 2701 W. Broward Blvd, about six miles from where the luxury car was stolen, according to police.

Police say they did not chase or pursue the car.

Patterson bailed on foot but was quickly tracked down by officers and arrested, according to police. He was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle and resisting without violence.

Police say Patterson also had two outstanding felony warrants, one out of Placer County, California, and the other in Broward County.

Jail records show he is at the Broward County Main Jail.

Police say no one was injured inside or around the building because of the crash. The Checkers closed at 3 a.m.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue was on scene and the building inspector was notified as well, according to police.

This story was originally published December 11, 2024 at 9:58 AM.